Recall 11V423000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Report Date
20110817
Component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Affected Vehicles
4 models

Defect Description

BLUE BIRD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 ALL AMERICAN SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 13, 2010, THROUGH MARCH 8, 2011, AND VISION SCHOOL BUSES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2010, THROUGH FEBRUARY 2, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINE. THE V-BAND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBERS Q187684, Q187685, AND Q187686, USED TO CONNECT THE INLET AND OUTLET CONE SECTIONS TO THE DIESEL OXIDATION CATALYST (DOC)/DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) INCLUDE A T-BOLT WHICH CAN FRACTURE AND FAIL WHEN SUBJECTED TO STRESS OR LOAD. A FRACTURE OR FAILURE OF THE T-BOLT MAY CAUSE THE CLAMP TO LOOSEN AND THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS ATTACHED TO THE DOC/DPF HOUSING TO DISCONNECT.

Safety Consequence

IF THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS DISCONNECT, HOT EXHAUST GASES CAN VENT PRIOR TO EXITING THE TAILPIPE, CREATING THE RISK OF COMBUSTION AND A FIRE. IF BOTH CLAMPS FAIL, THERE IS A RISK IN SOME APPLICATIONS THAT THE DOC/DPF HOUSING MAY DETACH COMPLETELY, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD.

Remedy

BLUE BIRD IS WORKING WITH CUMMINS TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED CUMMINS DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-812-377-5000 OR BLUE BIRD AT 1-478-822-2242.

Affected Vehicles

Year Make Model
2011 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN
2011 BLUE BIRD VISION
2012 BLUE BIRD ALL AMERICAN
2012 BLUE BIRD VISION

Check your vehicle: Visit NHTSA.gov and enter your VIN to see if your specific vehicle is affected.